Witches Fingers

"Witches' Fingers" are without a doubt the hottest food item this Halloween. You can find the recipes in almost any book or magazine.

Here is a recipe for these fun treats that is sweet....

• 1 package of peanut butter refrigerated cookie dough (nothing with chips or chunks in it)
• 1/4 cup of peanuts
• Chocolate syrup or chocolate icing

Cut the cookie dough just as you would to make round cookies, then cut the cookie circle in half. Form a long cylinder with your fingers or roll the dough between the palm of your hands to form something that looks like a fat snake or worm (great task for kids!). Arrange the cookies on a cookie sheet and if you wish, create indentations where the knuckles are. Bake according to package directions.

The cookies will flatten as they bake, turning out looking as if something ran over them on the road. Once the cookies are ready and have cooled, make the gnarly fingernail by taking half a peanut and adhering it to the tip of the cookie with chocolate syrup or chocolate icing. That's it, you're done!

And here is a savory one...

Ingredients

1 can (11 ounces) refrigerated breadstick dough

12 sun-dried tomatoes, cut in half crosswise or 12 jumbo pitted ripe olives, halved lengthwise

2 tablespoons olive oil

Dried basil or dill weed

1/2 cup olive oil

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Unroll breadstick dough; separate each strip and cut in half crosswise. Place on 2 ungreased baking sheets. Place tomato half about 1/8 inch from top of each strip and press down firmly; shape ends to round out tip of thumb.

2. Gently press down on dough with knife in 2 places to resemble knuckles. Brush breadsticks with 2 tablespoons olive oil; sprinkle with basil. Bake 10 minutes or until light golden brown.

3. Meanwhile, combine dipping sauce ingredients in 1-pint jar; cover and shake until well blended. Serve with Witches Fingers.